More Pet Owners are Going to the Birds.

They may weigh only a few ounces to several pounds. Their voices can be melodic to eardrum piercing. They can be sweet and loving or destructive and demanding. I am talking about parrots and the love affair that the American public has with these winged beauties.

Imagine having a temperamental toddler around the house that never grows up. If you can handle that, you are the perfect candidate for being a parrot parent.

Opting for a larger, more exotic parrot? The original purchase price may be staggering. Their caging needs can also wreck havoc with your decorating plans and no cage is ever large enough.

Birds are very social creatures. They love to be with their humans. Working long hours and wanting to have a life away from the home may not agree with your bird's companionship needs. When a bird feels lonely, it's not uncommon to find it pulling out one feather at a time, until you end up with a very bald and neurotic parrot.

To keep Polly is perfect health, be prepared to find a veterinarian who specialized in the avian species. The larger parrots can have a life span that rivals ours. Caring for a living creature that may outlive you behooves you to tend to all of its needs, medical as well as emotional. This is so important because it is "Your Pet… Health Matters."